Slit die coater capable of automatically adjusting position of gasket plate and method for adjusting position of gasket plate of slit die coater

Abstract

The invention discloses a slit die coating machine for automatically adjusting the position of a gasket plate. The slit die coating machine comprises a slit die; the at least one motor is arranged in the slit mold; the gasket plate is arranged on the slit mold; and at least one pin penetrating the shim plate and connected to the motor, and the at least one pin being movable by the motor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0102619, filed on August 17, 2022, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a slot die coater capable of adjusting the position of a gasket plate and a method for adjusting the position of a gasket plate of the slot die coater, and more specifically, to a slot die coater capable of automatically adjusting the position of a gasket plate based on information measured by a visual system and a method for automatically adjusting the position of a gasket plate. Background Art

[0003] In recent years, as energy prices have risen due to the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental pollution has increased, there is a growing demand for alternative environmentally friendly energy sources. As a result, various power generation technologies such as nuclear power, wind power, tidal power, and solar power are being studied, and there is increasing attention to power storage that uses the generated energy more efficiently.

[0004] In particular, as technology develops and demand for mobile devices increases, demand for batteries as energy sources is rapidly increasing, and research on secondary batteries that can meet various needs is being conducted.

[0005] The secondary battery may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator. The positive electrode and the negative electrode may be coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material on a positive electrode collector and a negative electrode collector, respectively. In this case, a slit die coater may be used to coat the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material.

[0006] The slot die coater is capable of coating both positive and negative active materials while maintaining a constant coating width. In order to maintain a constant coating width, the shim plate of the slot die coater must be precisely adjusted within the slot die coater.

[0007] However, the conventional method of adjusting the position of the shim plate by manually adjusting the shim bracket has the limitation that it is difficult to accurately adjust the position of the shim plate, and the disadvantages of generating time and labor costs because direct manpower is required to adjust the position of the shim plate.

[0008] Therefore, in order to overcome these limitations and disadvantages, research is being conducted on technologies for automatically adjusting the position of the shim plate. Summary of the invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a slot die coater which can automatically adjust the position of a gasket plate.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for automatically adjusting the position of a shim plate.

[0012] However, the objects achieved by the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other objects not mentioned will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the present invention.

[0013] Technical Solution

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the present invention, a slot die coater according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a slot die; at least one motor arranged inside the slot die; a shim plate arranged on the slot die; and at least one pin, the at least one pin passes through the shim plate and is connected to the motor, and the at least one pin can be moved by the motor.

[0015] In an embodiment, the pin may be movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, the first direction being a direction in which the coating liquid is applied.

[0016] In an embodiment, the pin may be movable in a third direction and a fourth direction opposite to the third direction, the third direction being a direction in which the pin penetrates the shim plate.

[0017] In an embodiment, the pin may be movable in a fifth direction perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction, and in a sixth direction opposite to the fifth direction.

[0018] In an embodiment, when a distance between an end of the shim plate and an end of the slot die measured by a vision system is outside a predetermined tolerance range, the motor may adjust the position of the shim plate by moving the pin.

[0019] In an embodiment, the motor may be provided in plural number, and the pin may be provided in plural number.

[0020] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the present invention, the method for adjusting the position of the gasket plate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps: measuring the distance between the end of the slit mold and the end of the gasket plate arranged on the slit mold; determining whether the distance is within a predetermined tolerance range; and adjusting the position of the gasket plate according to the determination result.

[0021] In an embodiment, the step of adjusting the position of the shim plate may be performed by a pin penetrating the shim plate and connected to a motor disposed within the slot die.

[0022] In an embodiment, the method may further include, after the step of adjusting the position of the shim plate, the step of fixing the shim plate.

[0023] In an embodiment, the step of fixing the shim plate may be performed by a pin penetrating the shim plate and connected to a motor disposed within the slot die.

[0024] In an embodiment, the method may further include, after the step of adjusting the position of the shim plate, the step of re-measuring the distance between the end of the shim plate and the end of the slot die.

[0025] In an embodiment, the method may further include, after the step of re-measuring, the step of generating an alarm if the distance between the end of the shim plate and the end of the slot die is outside the predetermined tolerance range.

[0026] Beneficial Effects

[0027] According to the present invention, the position of the shim plate provided on the slot die can be automatically adjusted by a pin that penetrates the shim plate and is connected to the slot die. The pin is connected to a motor provided in the slot die, and the motor can adjust the distance between the shim plate and the slot die by adjusting the position of the pin based on information measured by the visual system. In this way, the present invention can evenly apply the coating liquid on the substrate. In addition, the position of the shim plate is automatically adjusted by the visual system and the motor, without additional manpower, saving cost and time, and the position of the shim plate can be accurately adjusted by the motor and the pin. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1a to Figure 1c is a diagram illustrating a slot die coater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 It is a graphic Figure 1a A plan view of an embodiment of a shim plate included in a slot die coater.

[0030] Figure 3a to Figure 3c It is a graphic adjustment Figure 1a A diagram of an embodiment of the location of a shim plate included in a slot die coater.

[0031] Figure 4a and Figure 4b It is a graphic adjustment Figure 1a A diagram of an embodiment of the location of a shim plate included in a slot die coater.

[0032] Figure 5a to Figure 5c It is a graphic adjustment Figure 1a A diagram of an embodiment of the location of a shim plate included in a slot die coater. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of terms to best describe his invention, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in their ordinary meanings or dictionary meanings, but in the meanings and concepts consistent with the technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in the specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only some of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, rather than exhaustive of the technical concept of the present invention, and various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of submission.

[0034] The slit die coater of the present invention is a device having a slit and coating a coating liquid on a substrate through the slit. The slit die coater may be provided with a first slit die and a second slit die. The "substrate" described herein is a current collector, and the "coating liquid" is an "electrode active material slurry". However, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the substrate may be a porous support including a diaphragm, and the coating liquid may be an organic material. In other words, the substrate and the coating liquid may be any material as long as thin film coating is intended.

[0035] In the present application, a first direction DR1 is defined as a direction in which the coating liquid is discharged, a second direction DR2 is defined as a direction opposite to the first direction DR1, a third direction DR3 and a fourth direction DR4 are defined as directions perpendicular to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2, respectively, and a fifth direction DR5 and a sixth direction DR6 are defined as directions perpendicular to the first direction DR1 and the third direction DR3, respectively.

[0036] Figure 1a to Figure 1c is a diagram illustrating a slot die coater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Reference Figure 1a to Figure 1c , the slot die coater 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first slot die 100a, a second slot die 100b, and a gasket plate 100c. The slot die coater 100 may apply a coating liquid 220 to a substrate 210. Therefore, the substrate 210 may be coated with the coating liquid 220. The coating roller 200 may convey the substrate 210. The coating roller 200 may be disposed in front of the slot die coater 100, and the coating roller 200 may rotate to convey the substrate 210. As the coating roller 200 drives the substrate 210, the discharged coating liquid 220 may be uniformly coated on the substrate 210. To this end, the coating roller 200 may rotate at a constant speed. In addition, the slot die coater 100 may disperse the coating liquid 220 to have a constant diffusion width, and discharge the coating liquid 220 at a constant speed.

[0038] Although not shown, at least one of the first slot die 100 a and the second slot die 100 b may have a storage space for storing the coating liquid 220 , and the coating liquid 220 may be supplied to the storage space via a passage connected from the outside.

[0039] The shim plate 100c has a first area cut to provide an opening, and can be disposed between the first slot die 100a and the second slot die 100b facing each other. The opening can be located between the first die lip 110a and the second die lip 110b. Except for the area formed with the opening, the shim plate 100c is preferably formed of a material having a sealing property so as to serve as a gasket to prevent the coating liquid 220 from leaking into the gap between the first slot die 100a and the second slot die 100b.

[0040] The width of the opening in the shim plate 100c may determine the coating width of the coating liquid 220. A plurality of openings may be provided, thereby allowing a plurality of coating layers to be formed on the substrate 21, spaced apart from each other.

[0041] The coating result by the slot die coater 100 may be affected by various factors. For example, the coating result may be affected by the degree of alignment of the first die lip 110a corresponding to the end of the first slot die 100a and the second die lip 110b corresponding to the end of the second slot die 100b. Alternatively, the coating result may vary depending on the distance between the first die lip 110a and the second die lip 110b and the shim end 110c which is the end of the shim plate 100c.

[0042] If the distance between the first die lip 110a and the second die lip 110b and the gasket end 110c becomes too large, when the coating liquid 220 is applied, the spreading width of the coating liquid 220 may become large, and the coating liquid 220 may not be uniformly applied to the substrate 210. Therefore, in order to adjust the distance between the first die lip 110a, the second die lip 110b and the gasket end 110c, the slot die coater 100 may further include a motor and a pin. The motor may move the pin connected to the motor, thereby moving or holding the gasket plate 100c. These motors and pins will be described with reference to the following drawings.

[0043] Figure 2 It is a graphic Figure 1a A plan view of an embodiment of a shim plate included in a slot die coater.

[0044] Reference Figure 1a and Figure 2, the shim plate 100c may include two openings OP1 and OP2. The first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2 may be respectively defined as spaces for discharging the coating liquid 220. That is, the coating liquid 220 stored in the slot die coater 100 may be discharged through the first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2, respectively. However, this is exemplary, and the shim plate 100c may include one or more openings.

[0045] As described above, the distance between the shim end 110c and the second die lip 110b may change the coating result. Therefore, the slot die coater 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may establish a tolerance range for the distance between the shim end 110c and the second die lip 110b, and may adjust the position of the shim plate 100c so that the distance between the shim end 110c and the second die lip 110b is within a predetermined tolerance range. The position of the shim plate 100c may be adjusted before the first slot die 100a and the second slot die 100b are engaged with the shim plate 100c therebetween.

[0046] Whether the distance between the shim end 110c and the second mold lip 110b is within the tolerance range may be determined by various criteria. For example, the distance between the shim end 110c and the second mold lip 110b may be measured at three positions on the left, center, and right sides of the plane, and then compared to determine whether each measured distance falls within the corresponding predetermined tolerance range. However, this is exemplary, and whether the distance between the shim end 110c and the second mold lip 110b falls within the predetermined tolerance range may also be determined based on only the left and right positions.

[0047] The corresponding tolerance can be determined based on the target value and the completed adjustment value. The target value can be defined as the ideal distance between the gasket end 100c and the second mold lip 110c. The ideal distance may refer to the distance between the gasket end 100c and the second mold lip 110c for normal application of the coating liquid. For example, with respect to the left side of the gasket plate 100c, the left offset distance OFS_L, which is the shortest distance between the left part of the gasket end 110c and the second mold lip 110b, may have a target value of 500μm. The target value can be determined by considering various factors. For example, the target value can be determined based on quality measurement results such as coating width, mismatch, slip, and thick edge (Fatedge).

[0048] The completed adjustment value of the left offset distance OFS_L may correspond to the maximum value of the difference between the target value for determining that the shim plate 100c is in the desired position and the measured value of the vision system. For example, the completed adjustment value may be 80 μm, and if the left offset distance OFS_L measured by the vision system is between 420 μm and 580 μm, it may be determined that the shim plate 100c is in the desired position. In other words, the tolerance range of the left offset distance OFS_L may be between 420 μm and 580 μm.

[0049] The target value may be within various ranges of values ​​and may have a target upper limit and a target lower limit. For example, the target value may be 500 μm, the target upper limit may be 900 μm, and the target lower limit may be 100 μm.

[0050] The above-mentioned target value and the completed adjustment value are exemplary, and the target value and the completed adjustment value may be set to various values. In addition, the target upper limit and the target lower limit may be set to different values.

[0051] Furthermore, although the description of the above values ​​is based on the left offset distance OFS_L, the description of the above values ​​is equally applicable to the right offset distance OFS_R and the middle offset distance OFS_M.

[0052] However, if the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the left offset distance OFS_L, the right offset distance OFS_R, and the middle offset distance OFS_M becomes greater than the preset value, the shim plate 100c may warp, causing the slit die coater 100 to malfunction and deteriorate in performance. Therefore, it is expected that the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the left offset distance OFS_L, the right offset distance OFS_R, and the middle offset distance OFS_M is maintained below the preset value, and the preset value may be defined as a preset limit value. The preset limit value may be 120 μm. For example, if the difference between the left offset distance OFS_L and the right offset distance OFS_R exceeds 120 μm, the position of the shim plate 100c may be adjusted again. Since the preset limit value corresponds to a limit value that can be used without deformation of the shim plate 100c, it may be determined differently depending on the size or material of the shim plate 100c.

[0053] In order to make the distance between the gasket end 110c and the second die lip 110b within a predetermined tolerance range, the first pin 300a and the second pin 300b can be moved in a first direction DR1 and a second direction DR2 opposite to the first direction DR1. The first pin 300a and the second pin 300b can each penetrate the gasket plate 100c and be connected to the second slot die 100b. The second slot die 100b can be provided with a channel for the first pin 300a and the second pin 300b to move. Figure 2As shown in , one pin may be used to move the shim plate 100c, and three or more pins may be used. However, for ease of explanation, description will be made based on an embodiment in which the shim plate 100c is moved using two pins 300a, 300b.

[0054] Figure 3a to Figure 3c It is a graphic adjustment Figure 1a A diagram of an embodiment of the location of a shim plate included in a slot die coater.

[0055] Reference Figure 3a , the vision system 400 may measure the distance between the gasket end 110c and the second mold lip 110b. The vision system 400 may be a camera. The distance measured by the vision system 400 may be managed by a control unit (not shown). If the measured distance is outside a predetermined tolerance range, the second motor 500b may move the second pin 300b. Here, the second motor 500b may move the second pin 300b in one direction from the first direction DR1 to the sixth direction DR6. Alternatively, the second motor 500b may include a plurality of sub-motors, each of which may move the second pin 300b in different directions. For example, the second motor 500b may include a first sub-motor to a third sub-motor, wherein the first sub-motor may move the second pin 300b in the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2, the second sub-motor may move the second pin 300b in the third direction DR3 and the fourth direction DR4, and the third sub-motor may move the second pin 300b in the fifth direction DR5 and the sixth direction DR6.

[0056] In this case, the second motor 500b may move the second pin 300b in increments of 100 μm. More preferably, the second motor 500b may move the second pin 300b in increments of 100 μm or less. For example, the second motor 500b may move the second pin 300b in increments of 50 μm or 10 μm. However, this is exemplary, and the second motor 200b may move the second pin 300b in increments of 100 μm or more. Therefore, the shim plate 100c may also be moved in increments of 100 μm or more.

[0057] Reference Figure 3a and Figure 3b The shim plate 100c can be moved in the first direction DR1 by the second motor 500b and the second adjusting pin 300b so that the distance between the shim end 110c and the second mold lip 110b falls within a preset tolerance range.

[0058] After the position of the shim plate 100c is adjusted by the second motor 500b and the second adjustment pin 300b, it may be checked again whether the distance between the shim end 110c and the second mold lip 110b falls within the preset tolerance range. Even after the position of the shim plate 100c is adjusted by the second motor 500b and the second adjustment pin 300b, if the distance between the shim end 110c and the second mold lip 110b is outside the preset tolerance range, an alarm is issued and the system is checked, or the operator may manually adjust the distance between the shim end 110c and the second mold lip 110b to within the preset tolerance. However, the alarm may be adjusted to be issued after the position of the shim plate 100c is adjusted at least N times, where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2. For example, the alarm may be set to be issued when the distance between the shim end 110c and the second mold lip 110b is outside the predetermined tolerance range after the position of the shim plate 100c is adjusted five times.

[0059] Reference Figure 3b and Figure 3c When the distance between the shim end 110c and the second mold lip 110b is within a predetermined tolerance range as determined by the vision system 400, the second motor 500b may move the second pin 300b in the fourth direction DR4 to fix the shim plate 100c.

[0060] Once the shim plate 100c is fixed, the first slot die 100a, the shim plate 100c, and the second slot die 100c may be combined to be stacked in sequence, such as Figure 1a The slot die coater 100 is shown in FIG.

[0061] Figure 4a and 4b It is a graphic adjustment Figure 1a A diagram of an embodiment of the location of a shim plate included in a slot die coater.

[0062] Reference Figure 4a and Figure 4b If the distance between the gasket end 110c and the second mold lip 110b is within a predetermined tolerance range as determined by the vision system 400, the second motor 500b does not move the second pin 300b in the first direction DR1 or the second direction DR2, but may only move in the fourth direction DR4 to fix the gasket plate 100c.

[0063] Figure 5a to Figure 5c It is a graphic adjustment Figure 1a A diagram of an embodiment of the location of a shim plate included in a slot die coater. Figure 5a to Figure 5c DR5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which the motor moves the pin in the fifth direction DR5 and the sixth direction DR6.

[0064] Reference Figure 5a and Figure 5b , one or more vision systems 400 may be provided. Although only one vision system 400 is shown for the purpose of illustration, one or more vision systems 400 may be present in the present application. If the distance between the end of the shim plate 100c in the fifth direction DR5 and / or in the sixth direction DR6 and the end of the second slot die 100b in the fifth direction DR5 and / or in the sixth direction DR6 measured by the vision system 400 is outside the predetermined tolerance range, the first motor 500a and the second motor 500b may be moved to adjust the position of the shim plate 100c.

[0065] Thereafter, if the vision system 400 confirms that the shim plate 100 c is within the target tolerance, the first motor 500 a and the second motor 500 b may move the first pin 300 a and the second pin 300 b in the fourth direction DR4 to fix the position of the shim plate 100 c .

[0066] Therefore, the slot die coater 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can adjust the position of the shim plate 100c in the first direction DR1, the second direction DR2, the fifth direction DR5 and the sixth direction DR6, thereby applying the coating liquid 220 to have a target spreading width at a target position on the substrate 210.

[0067] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with respect to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0068] [Explanation of Reference Numbers]

[0069] 100: Slot die coater

[0070] 100a: First slit die

[0071] 100b: Second slit die

[0072] 100c: Gasket plate

[0073] 110a: First mold lip

[0074] 110b: Second mold lip

[0075] 110c: End of gasket plate

[0076] 200: coating roller

[0077] 210: Substrate

[0078] 220: coating liquid

[0079] 300a, 300b: first pin, second pin

[0080] 400: Vision System

[0081] 500a, 500b: first motor, second motor.

Claims

1. A slot die coater for automatically adjusting the position of a gasket plate, comprising: Slit die; at least one motor disposed inside the slot die; a gasket plate disposed on the slot die; as well as At least one pin extends through the shim plate and is connected to the motor, and the at least one pin is movable by the motor. 2 . The slot die coater according to claim 1 , wherein the pin is movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, the first direction being a direction in which the coating liquid is applied. 3 . The slot die coater according to claim 2 , wherein the pin is movable in a third direction and a fourth direction opposite to the third direction, the third direction being a direction in which the pin penetrates the shim plate. 4 . The slot die coater according to claim 3 , wherein the pin is movable in a fifth direction perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction, and in a sixth direction opposite to the fifth direction.

5. The slot die coater of claim 1, wherein the motor adjusts the position of the shim plate by moving the pin when the distance between the end of the shim plate and the end of the slot die measured by the vision system is outside a predetermined tolerance range. The slot die coater according to claim 5 , wherein the motor is provided in plural number, and the pin is provided in plural number.

7. A method for adjusting the position of a shim plate of a slot die coater, comprising the steps of: measuring a distance between an end of a slot die and an end of the shim plate disposed on the slot die; determining whether the distance is within a predetermined tolerance range; and The position of the shim plate is adjusted according to the result of the determination.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of adjusting the position of the shim plate is performed by a pin extending through the shim plate and connected to a motor disposed within the slot die.

9. The method according to claim 7, after the step of adjusting the position of the shim plate, further comprising: The step of fixing the spacer plate.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of securing the shim plate is performed by a pin penetrating the shim plate and connected to a motor disposed within the slot die.

11. The method according to claim 7, after the step of adjusting the position of the shim plate, further comprising: The step of re-measuring the distance between the end of the shim plate and the end of the slot die.

12. The method according to claim 11, after the step of re-measuring, further comprises: The step of generating an alarm if the distance between the end of the shim plate and the end of the slot die is outside the predetermined tolerance range.

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